Yarmouth fatal hit & run; Dennis house explosion

Surfers rescued after getting caught in ripMARTHAS VINEYARD - The first sign of trouble connected to Tropical Storm Beryl has appeared on Marthas Vineyard earlier today. Three surfers became caught in a rip off South Beach for some three hours before they were rescued by lifeguards and brought to shore.

The motorcycle operator identified by police as 41-year old Maryjane Harrington of Yarmouth was rushed to Cape Cod Hospital where she was pronounced dead. The other vehicle fled the scene but police found a black Chevy pickup truck fitting the description abandoned a short time later at the end of Taft Road.

A K-9 search of nearby woods quickly led to the capture of a suspect identified as 18-year old Christopher C. Tripp of West Yarmouth (pictured). He was arrested on charges of motor vehicle homicide, operating under the influence of drugs, leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death and operating to endanger. Posted on 7/20 at 8:00 PM; updated on 7/20 at 12:00 Am; scene photo courtesy Jake O'Callaghan; mug shot courtesy YPD.

Electrical fire at Falmouth High SchoolFALMOUTH- Firefighters were called to the scene of an electrical fire at Falmouth High School on Gifford Street. The fire was in an electrical panel and firefighters had to wait for NStar to cut the power. Then they extinguished the fire and ventilated moderate smoke that built up. School is out for the summer so of course no students were in the building but construction workers were in the building. They all got out safely. Posted on 7/20 at 4:00 PM; updated on 7/20 at 6:00 PM.

Man injured in fall from roofYARMOUTH- A man was rushed to Cape Cod Hospital after falling about a story and a half from the roof of a building in the Kings Way development. It happened about 2:30 PM on John Hall Cartway. The victim was taken to Cape Cod Hospital with serious but non life-threatening injuries. Posted on 7/20 at 3:00 PM.

Explosion reported in Dennis houseDENNIS - Firefighters are on the scene of a reported explosion in a house at 124 Kibby Lane in Dennisport this afternoon. One person was seen here being taken away in an ambulance to CCH and was later taken to a burn center in Boston.

Firefighters believe natural gas triggered the blast which blew the house off its foundation and blew the front door off and sparked a blaze inside. Fire crews were ordered out of the building until a building inspectorcould check the integrity of the building.

The exact cause of the blast is under investigation. Firefighters from several towns responded to help out at the scene. Dennis Police identify the victim as the homeowner 42-year old Michael McElroy of Milton. Police say he was installing a hot water heater when the blast occurred.

The State Fire Marshal's office and Dennis officials are continuing to investigate. Firefighters were called back just after 10 PM to douse a rekindle in a couple of mattresses.Posted on 7/20 at 2:00 PM; updated on 7/20 at 11:00 PM; photos courtesy of Jake O'Callaghan.

No one found in car in waterHARWICH - Dive crews rushed to the scene of a car in water in Saquatucket Harbor in Harwich earlier this afternoon. Fortunately they found no one with the vehicle which now appears to have been stolen out of Orleans.

Crews set up booms to contain any possible pollution until the vehicle could be removed. Harwich Police are investigating.

Photo courtesy Jake O'Callaghan.

Driver injured in Chatham crashCHATHAM - Two people was taken to Cape Cod Hospital after this Ford van struck a utility pole at Shore Road and Coffin Road late this morning. Officials were trying to determine if the driver 83-year old Kirke Higgins may have had a medical condition. She apparently struck a bicycle riden by Susan Walsh of Mineola, NY before hitting the pole. Kirke was evaluated at CCH while Walsh was treated and released. Posted on 7/20 at 2:00 PM; updated on 7/21 at 8:00 AM; Photo courtesy of The Cape Cod Chronicle.

Two injured in Orleans head-onORLEANS - Two people were taken to Cape Cod Hospital with non life-threatening injuries this morning. The crash happened about 9 AM on Route 28 at Monument Road a major intersection for travelers between Orleans, Chatham and Harwich. Orleans Police are investigating.

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